Can Delta Air Lines and its pilots achieve a win-win?

Last week, Delta Air Lines became the launch customer for an upgraded version of Bombardier's CRJ900 regional jet, ordering 20. This marks the third time in the past year that Delta has opted to replace some of the older jets in its regional fleet. All 50 of the new regional jets will be models that hold 76 seats in a typical regional airline layout. Yet Delta is configuring them with 70 seats instead. That's because its pilot contract doesn't allow the carrier to increase its fleet to 76. However, Delta and its pilot union are set to begin contract negotiations next year, as the current labour agreement becomes amendable at the end of 2019. Easing the restrictions on 76-seat jets would be a fairly harmless concession on the part of Delta Air Lines pilots, while it would help Delta afford bigger raises in the next round of contract talks. <br/>